Molded object



N 1934- F. A. PARKHURST 1,981,810

MOLDED OBJECT Filed May 4, 1955 2 1 -32 r2 W v L a 4 (7 1 l/ BY MZV W ATTORNEY.

, Patented N v. 20, 1934 PATENT OFFICE MOLDED OBJECT Frederic A. Parkhurst, Bethesda, Md., assignor to The llberloid Corporation, Indian Orchard, Mala, a corporation of Massachusetts Application M8! 4, 1933,8613! No. 889,387

1 Claim. (Cl- 273-43) This invention relates to improvements in molded objects and is directed more particularly to objects molded from such material as pyroxylinplastic or other esters of cellulose, and v loaded in a cavity over the stem. The die memo 5 the like.

One object of the invention is the provision of an object such as a golf tee wherein a part such as the head is molded onto another part such as the shank, means being provided to prevent o separation or relative movements of the parts whereby they are united as a composite, unitary tee structure. By means of the invention it is possible to manufacture golf tees economically and at the same .time provide contrasting colors for the head and shank, if desired, without the necessity for coloring operations.

Various novel-features and advantages of the invention will be more fully hereinafter referred to in connection with the accompanying description of the preferred form of the invention which for purposes of disclosure is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view showing certain parts of an apparatus adapted to 5 produce the tee of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a pellet for forming into the shape of a tee head and a shank or stem portion onto which the head is molded.

Fig. 3 is a sectional and elevational view of a tee of the invention to explain how the head is secured to the shank, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view showing a tee of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail the invention will be fully described.

In describing the invention, reference will be made as .to how the molding or forming of a head onto a shank of a golf tee is performed in 40 order to provide the composite structure wherein the head and stem are united.

In order to facilitate a clear understanding of the novel features of the invention, certain apparatus adapted to form the molded head will 5 be described in a general way. It is desired to point out that the apparatus may take various forms and is shown and described only for the purpose of clearly describing how the head and shank aremade.

According to the apparatus shown, upper and lower sections of a die apparatus may be associated with the head and ram of a press. The upper and lower sections of the die carry molding or-forming elements such as a co-operating 55 plunger and mold cavity.

A stem or shank for a tee is located in a cavity of one of the die members, such as the lower member, and a pellet of moldable material such as pyroxylin plastic or other cellulose esters is bers are then brought together for the molding and head-forming operation and heat may be applied so that the pellet is pressed or molded by heat and pressure onto the shank. The dies may then be opened and the tee removed from the die.

Any type of press suitable for forming the: head may be used, all that is required being certain relatively movable members for carrying the parts of the die apparatus. 7

As shown in Flgu'l, a lower die member: and an upper die member 4 are arranged to co-operate with one another and either one or both may be heated. A die plug 6 is carried by the die 4 which will register accurately with a cavity 8 of u the lower die 2. a

The die element 6 preferably has a lower face which is crowned as shown to form concavitles C in the upper sides of a head P formed or molded onto the round shank S during the molding or forming operation.

The cavity or depression such as 8 in the upper side of the die member 2 converges at its lower portion into a bore 10 as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The bore 10 receives a shank or stem S while the cavity 20 receives a pellet P which is to be molded or pressed onto the shank.

The pellet P as shown in Fig. 2 is preferably round as is the shank S and of course substantially greater in diameter than the shank.

It will probably be preferable where cellulose ester material is used for the pellet that the pellet be heated more or less so that it will be readily flowable or moldable when acted upon by the member 6.

To insure that the head P is locked onto the stem or shank, the upper end thereof is preferably deformed or distorted in some manner. For example, the shank may be grooved or notched as shown at N in Figs. 2 and 3 or otherwise pro- 100 vided with depressions or the like so as to be distorted more or less. In this way, the material of the heated pellet will flow during the molding or pressing operation into the notch or notches whereby the molded head is locked onto the 5 shank.

-As stated, the lower side of the member 8 is preferably crowned so that as shown in Fig. 3 the head of the tee will be concaved more or less.

It is possible to produce large numbers of the n tees of this invention in a very expeditious and economical manner. The construction is simple yet strong and rugged and the head is secured to the shank in a manner which insures against separation to provide a unitary structure.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the form of the invention and it is therefore not desired to be limited by the foregoing description. What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: As a new article of manufacture, a golf tee of cellulose ester material comprising, a united shank and head, the said shank being performed to have a cylindrical body portion of a certain cross-sectional area and a lower downwardly-tapering end portion with the said body cut away at a side thereof adjacent its upper extremity to provide a part which is eccentrically disposed relative to and of less crosssectional area than the parts of the body immediately above and below said eccentrically-disposed part, the said head being formed from a pellet member of moldable cellulose ester material molded about the upper end of said body of the shank into the shape of a head having an upper ball-supporting surface above the upper extremity of the shank and a lower portion sur rounding the uppermost part of the shank above and below said eccentrically-disposed part with a part thereof extending into the cut-away portion of the shank, the sides of said lower portion of the head converging downwardly onto the shank to a point below the said eccentrically-disposed part thereof, all adapted and arranged whereby the head member is locked to the shank against longitudinal or rotative movements relative thereto and provides therewith an integral structure.

FREDERIC A. PARKHURST. 

